WW1 - 4th Collingwood Battalion 1st Royal Naval Brigade Two Piece Shoulder Title on Backing Plate, circa 1914/15

The Battalion was disbanded before the issue of a cap badge, shoulder titles were worn with the numeral 4 above on a brass backing plate. The curved title has had its lugs squashed, one almost completely closed. The 4 looks like it has been cut from some other number along side so a bit of a marriage, backing plate not the correct shape either. Despite its shortcomings it is good to see it roughly configured as it would have been when worn rather than just a bare title as illustrated in Westlake. Rare.

During their retreat from Antwerp in October 1914, the majority of Collingwood Battalion were either captured by the Germans or crossed into Holland & Interned for the Duration. A new Collingwood Battalion was raised, but they remained in England when the RND sailed for the Dardanelles, finally rejoining the RND at Cape Helles 30th May 1915. After the RND's massive losses at the 'Third Battle of Krithia" (4th June 1915), the Collingwood Battalion were chosen to be disbanded on the 8th June 1915 (along with the Benbow Battalion (12th June 1915)) to reinforce the five depleted Naval Battalions. The ex-Collingwoods went on to serve with great distinction.

See the following thread for more information:
https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/307262-collingwood-bn-deployment-to-mef/

Westlake No 1611 refers

Comm JoPa (47)

Code: 68654